Using alcohol or other drugs, whether legal or illegal, impacts the way your brain works. Some depress your central nervous system; others amp it up. And often, people like to pair these mind-altering substances with sex. Sometimes they do it for social reasons, like, for example, to get to know each other over a drink or two before going home with someone new. Other times, they do it to address underlying mental or physical health issues like social anxiety disorder, issues with your body image, low self-esteem, or chronic pain. No matter the reason, let’s talk about the impact that alcohol and drugs can have on sex.
Sex and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is ubiquitous in our society—just ask any alcoholic! It can be very difficult to maintain an active social life while avoiding the substance. There are some social benefits to drinking alcohol, at least temporarily. For one, it can make you feel and appear more confident, which is a huge advantage if you want to drum up the courage to ask someone out or even take it a step further.
However, the pros and cons of alcohol use are very subjective and dose-dependent. That means that if you only ever have one or maybe two drinks, you may enjoy alcohol without any problem. When you have more than that, you might find you have trouble maintaining an erection or that your vaginal is dryer than normal.
Further, too much confidence can be a bad thing—even in the bedroom. If you overindulge, you may do sexual things that you regret since your inhibitions are lower. Even if you have a safe, consensual encounter, too much alcohol makes it difficult to reach climax, especially for women. The best option is always to enjoy alcohol in moderation.
Sex and Marijuana
Cannabis is now legal in many states, and that has increased its popularity—especially as a drug that can enhance sex. Some people report that when they use certain strains, it helps them tune into their bodies and the present moment, almost like a mindfulness aid. You may find that you take the time to do extra foreplay while high, which can increase sexual satisfaction, especially for people with vulvas.
However, just like alcohol, marijuana is a dose-dependent drug during sex. A small amount may make for a pleasant experience but too much can ruin it altogether.
Sex and Other Drugs
Though having sex while intoxicated with illegal drugs has been popularized by songs, movies, books, and many other forms of media, they don’t always tell the whole story. There are many different types of drugs you can find, but some of the more popular ones are coke, MDMA, amphetamines, and hallucinogens. All of these can cause permanent issues in your sexual functioning with chronic use or may put you at risk of not having safe sex. But aside from that, let’s talk about what they do in the bedroom.
Cocaine is typically thought of as something that can prolong sex. On one hand, that can sound like fun. On the other, it can make orgasm an elusive, almost unattainable thing, which can be frustrating for both you and your partner.
Hallucinogens like mushrooms or acid can enhance your senses, making colors seem brighter and textures seem deeper. When you’re tripping, your experience can run the gamut from positive and calming to scary and dark. Since you can’t completely control your trip, you may not want to have sex while on hallucinogens.
Party drugs like ecstasy and molly can cause your senses to heighten and your body to feel warmer. Many people report these drugs intensifying orgasm, but they can also increase your risk for unsafe behavior. Amphetamines also cause your body to feel warm, but they can decrease your sexual sensation and make reaching orgasm difficult.
If you’d like help examining your relationship with recreational substances and sex, contact me for a free consultation today.
Bio: Dr. Nazanin Moali is a clinical psychologist and sex therapist in the Los Angeles area. She works with various individuals to understand and improve their sexuality. Dr. Moali conducts personal consultation sessions in her Torrance and Hermosa Beach offices, or via a secure, online video-counseling platform. Click here to take the sex quiz for women.